Article I. NameThe name of this organization shall be the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Article II. ObjectivesThe objectives of this chapter shall be to encourage the understanding of current theories and procedures in the practice of public relations; to provide students of public relations with dedicated goals and better mutual understanding and cooperation in the field of public relations; to instill professional standards of truth, accuracy, fair dealing, good taste and high ideals; and to provide opportunity for public relations growth through association with public relations peers and professional practitioners in the field.

Article III. MembershipMembership shall be comprised of undergraduate and/or graduate students, regardless of race, sexual orientation, age, color, creed, sex or national origin, who have an interest in public relations, while attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Article IV. OfficersThe officers of this chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, public relations officer, and historian. Election of officers must be completed by April 15. The new officers will assume their responsibilities on June 1. Other chapter officers may be elected to handle local needs. Two-thirds of the dues-paying membership of the chapter shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is also required for election to office. If, because of significant extenuating circumstances, an officer cannot complete his/her term in office, a replacement may be appointed by a two-thirds majority vote of the executive board of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville chapter of PRSSA. The term of office for all officers shall be one year from date of election or until their respective successors are elected.

Article V. Duties of OfficersRequirements include a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better, one full semester in PRSSA and some experience in the public relations and administrative fields.

PresidentResponsibilities include:
-Motivate executive board and members through his or her enthusiastic attitude towards PRSSA.
-Presiding at all membership and executive meetings.
-Appoint committees; advise committee chairmen; advise members about chapter activities.
-Delegate responsibilities of officers and committees. Direct overall operations of chapter.
-Recommend and establish goals and objectives for the chapter with the approval of the membership, faculty and professional advisors.
- Assist the treasurer in collecting annual dues and assume responsibility for providing accurate information on the accompanying dues form to be forwarded to PRSSA National Headquarters on November 1 and again March 1.
-Staying in contact with the PRSSA National Committee.

Vice President-Motivate members through his or her enthusiastic attitude towards PRSSA.
-Perform all duties of the chapter president if the president is absent or unable to perform his or her duties.
-Assist the president in coordinating and directing committee activities and chapter operations.
-Perform duties as may be delegated by the president.
-Serve as a counselor to the president by recommending goals, objectives, plans and programs.
-Coordinate and disseminate information about PRSSA Associate Membership for graduating PRSSA members.

Secretary-Motivate members through his or her enthusiastic attitude towards PRSSA. Prepare agenda with the help of the president.
-Record the minutes of executive board meetings, general membership meetings and handle the appropriate distribution of these minutes.
-Maintain a record of chapter members, including a permanent home address and school address of each member.
-Serve as custodian of the chapter's charter and other permanent documents, including the Chapter Handbook.
-Notify PRSSA Headquarters and sponsoring PRSA chapters of changes in chapter officers or advisors.
-Handle all chapter correspondence.

Treasurer -Motivate members through his or her enthusiastic attitude towards PRSSA. Work with chapter president in preparing the annual budget.
- Collect chapter and national dues at the times specified in the PRSSA National and Chapter Bylaws and, with the assistance of the president, completely and accurately prepare the PRSSA dues form that accompanies national dues when they are forwarded to PRSSA Headquarters.
-Provide financial reports periodically to the chapter membership.
-Collect fees for any chapter special events and fundraisers.
-Disburse chapter funds with proper approval.
-Provide safekeeping for all chapter funds and keep accurate financial records.

Public Relations Director-Motivate members through his or her enthusiastic attitude towards PRSSA.
-Oversee the committee for the production of the chapter newsletter on a regular basis throughout the school year.
-Oversee the committee for the chapter Website.
-Post announcements for chapter meetings throughout campus.
-Coordinate press releases, feature articles, advertising and brochures relating to the chapter.
-Handle all campus and area press issues.
- Help promote recruitment and retention with slide/tape presentations, brochures, fliers, and other appropriate aids.

Historian-Motivate members through his or her enthusiastic attitude towards PRSSA.
-Maintain and record history of chapter so it can be passed on from year to year.
-Coordinate photography for the chapter, the chapter's scrapbook, and press releases being submitted to FORUM.

Faculty Advisor-The faculty advisor is the official link between the student chapter and the sponsoring PRSSA chapter. The faculty advisor must meet the following requirements:
1. Be a full-time teacher of at least one, but not all, of the public relations courses offered by the college or university.
2. Be a Member or Associate Member of PRSA.
3. Be recognized as the official faculty representative to the PRSA chapter.
Elected annually by chapter members, the faculty advisor carries out several vital functions for the success of the PRSSA chapter.

Professional AdvisorThe PRSSA chapter shall annually elect one or two professional advisors, to serve as their connection to their sponsoring PRSA chapter. A professional advisor must be an Accredited Member of PRSA; chapters with two professional advisors may have one advisor who is not Accredited. Associate Members of PRSA do not qualify for this position.

Article VI. Meetings The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville PRSSA chapter shall meet at least once during each month that school is in session at a designated location. Two-thirds of the dues-paying membership of the chapter shall constitute a quorum for a meeting. The meetings will follow Robert's Rules of Order, Revised Edition.

Article VIII. National Dues-Chapter membership is limited to those students who pay annual national dues which shall be collected by the treasurer at both the outset of each academic year and the middle of each academic year, and sent, with a complete membership roster, to the PRSSA Executive Director no later than November 1 and March 15. There shall be no prorating of national dues for students joining PRSSA after November 1.

Article IX. Chapter DuesTo defray local chapter expenses, the Southern Illinois University Edwarsville PRSSA chapter requires an additional fee for local dues. These dues shall be collected by the chapter treasurer.

Article X. Removal from Chapter OfficeAny Southern Illinois University Edwardsville PRSSA chapter officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the entire chapter membership during a special meeting held for its purpose. Petition for removal must be submitted to all parties concerned at least three weeks in advance of a special convocation of the chapter and all parties concerned shall have the opportunity to present their cases. Grounds for removal shall be intentional misconduct so as to bring discredit to PRSSA or PRSA, dereliction of assigned duties, intentional violation of PRSSA By-laws, or the Chapter Bylaws, and/or failure to maintain acceptable academic standards. Proceedings in such case shall be confidential. A: removed officer shall be replaced by one elected by a plurality vote of the chapter membership.

TopArticle XI. Chapter ActivitiesAll activities of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville chapter of PRSSA must be taken in the name of the chapter. No chapter activity shall impose any liability or obligation upon the PRSA.

Article XII. AmendmentsThese by-laws may be amended by a three-quarters favorable vote of the membership of this chapter, provided that the amendment shall have been proposed at least one meeting previous to the time of voting. Amendments to the Chapter Constitution and By-laws, however, shall become effective only upon their approval by the National Committee of the PRSSA. Such amendments shall conform to the National By-laws of the PRSSA and the By-laws of the PRSA.

Amendment 1 (3.06)

Due to low a retention rate for the 2005-06 school year, the chapter determined to create the position of Social Coordinator. The Executive Board voted on this officer’s duties on Aug. 29, 2006. They are as follows:

Motivate members through his/her enthusiastic attitude towards PRSSA.

Plan and oversee all “non-professional” events and meetings, to include welcome receptions, philanthropic events, the Christmas Party and end-of-year banquets).

Aid the Public Relations Director in creating and posting publicity materials for the events mentioned above.

Improve relations with membership and speakers by creating a most hospitable environment through actions such as icebreakers, providing food and refreshments, and thank you gifts for speakers.